Opera began during the Italian Renaissance as an effort to present drama with music in imitation of the ancient Greeks. Here is the story of opera, starting with ORFEO of Monteverdi (1607), then evolving over nearly two centuries into the classical style, of which Mozart was supreme master. By the late eighteenth century, comic & grand opera were highly developed art forms in Italy, France & German-speaking Europe. Here are accounts of the great opera companies of Paris, Milan, Bayreuth, London & New York. Prominent composers discussed include Rossini, Donizetti, Berlioz, Verdi - & in our own century, Hindemith, Puccini, Berg, Britten & others. Performers profiled include Jenny Lind, Enrico Caruso, Maria Callas, & the "Three Tenors."